A NEW craze is sweeping playgrounds across Bucks - and it threatens to be even greater than that of the Teletubbies, Buzz Lightyear or Pogs. It's the yo-yo, the much-loved toy of years gone by.

The Entertainer toy shops in Amersham and Beaconsfield are selling around 700 of the toys per week, and more than 4,000 between their 15 branches nationwide.

Spokesman for the chain Barry Eldridge said the pocket-sized toy was proving phenomenally popular among youngsters and teenagers.

Barry said: "The yo-yo has been around for many years and every ten years or so they come back into fashion in a big way. It contains two of the main ingredients which makes a popular toy - it has great play value and it's value for money.

Barry said that even after just a few hours practise most children can master some yo-yo tricks.

He said: "I would say that more than half the kids in a school playground will have them in their pockets as they can buy them from their pocket money. Every day after school our shops are full with school children wanting yo-yos.

Average yo-yos cost between £3 to £15, with top of the range models selling for £100.

Mike Brigden deputy head at Elangani School, Woodside Avenue, Amersham, said: "Yo-yos are definitely one of the better crazes that we have seen."

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